# NTSB MIA08CA170: Air Tractor AT-502, N1520X, Satartia, MS, August 22, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2008, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Satartia, MS - Coordinates: 32.716667, -90.55194 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7167&lon=-90.5519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68767 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68767/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA170 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in the in-flight collision with a 40-foot-tall antenna. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot noticed that during a low pass over a field, the aircraft was approaching the known location of a 40 foot-tall antenna. He initiated a right climbing turn to avoid the antenna, but the left wing collided with it. The airplane abruptly rolled left to the inverted position, and while attempting to correct, the airplane impacted the ground. Based on the antenna height and location from the nearest airport, the Federal Aviation Administration was not required to be notified of its construction. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he had sprayed the field previously one time in May or early June 2008, and as a result, asked the field owner to mark an approximate 40 foot tall antenna for better visibility. The antenna was reportedly marked with orange colored tape which has since faded color. After takeoff from his private airstrip, the flight proceeded to the field the pilot intended on spraying and he circled it "...numerous times surveying the field. I looked for obstructions and studied my field map...", which was prepared by a local feed company. During a low pass checking for wind direction, he noticed the antenna off to his left. He immediately began a climbing right turn to avoid the antenna, but the left wing collided with it approximately 12 inches from the top. The airplane abruptly rolled left to an inverted position, and he continued the left roll and pushed forward on the stick. The airplane impacted the ground in a right wing low attitude, cart wheeled, came to rest nearly inverted, and was destroyed by a post crash fire. Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 77.13, pertaining to construction or alteration requiring notice, indicates that FAA notification is required whenever construction or alteration of more than 200 feet above ground level (agl) is to be located within 20,000 feet of an airport. The height of the antenna (40 feet agl) and location in reference to a nearby airport (approximately 68,000 feet), did not require FAA notification. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1520X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1520X-2011-04-13), registration cancelled 2011-04-13, S/N 502-0157, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-502 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0157 - Airframe hours: 8775 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Carson Air Service, Inc. - Registered owner: Carson Air Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2007, 430 hours before - Departed: Holly Bluff, MS - Destination: Yazoo City, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2007; seat: center; flight hours: 7,727 total, 4,854 in this make and model, 7,600 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAN ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080822843039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080822843039A), Aug 22, 2008: Airtrc AT502, Yazoo City, MS, Destroyed. (-23) Aerial applications operation. While preparing for spray run, aircraft struck unmarked tower and crashed. After impact (with ground) fire destroyed… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.